Chapter 245

Iris's POV

Sunlight filtered through my bedroom curtains as I stepped onto the balcony, breathing in the morning air. After the security breach and that cryptic message warning me "they're all back," I'd been on high alert. But K assured me he had implemented new security protocols and was tracking the source of the hack with Sebastien's resources. The immediate threat appeared contained—for now.

I allowed myself to relax slightly, though remained vigilant. These moments of calm had become precious, especially with the twins requiring constant attention. The chill against my skin was refreshing after being cooped up all night. I'd just settled into one of the wicker chairs when my phone buzzed. Rachel's name flashed across the screen.

"Hey," I answered, smiling at the sound of my friend's voice. "How's everything?"

"I should be asking you that! How are the little ones? And how are you holding up?" Rachel's cheerful voice was exactly what I needed to start the day.

"We're all doing well. Actually, I wanted to tell you—we're having a small gathering this weekend for the twins' moonlight ceremony. Nothing extravagant, just close friends and family. You absolutely have to come." I realized my voice had taken on an eager tone I hadn't intended to reveal.

"I wouldn't miss it for—" Rachel paused mid-sentence. "Wait, is that Sebastien I hear in the background?"

I listened carefully. Sure enough, Sebastien's deep voice carried from the living room below, speaking softly to one of the twins who had started fussing.

"Shh, princess... Daddy's here. Let's not wake your brother up too, okay?" His voice was gentle, soothing—a tone I'd rarely heard from him before the twins were born.

"Yes, that's him," I admitted, feeling a strange flutter in my chest. "He's been taking time off work to help with the babies."

Rachel made an exaggerated gasping sound. "Are we talking about the same Sebastien Grey? Mr. I-Have-More-Important-Things-To-Do-Than-Change-Diapers? He's actually helping with the twins?"

I laughed despite myself. "I know, it's hard to believe. But he's been... different lately." My eyes drifted down to the patio below, and I froze when I spotted Sebastien standing there, Emma cradled against his chest. He was looking directly up at me.

Instead of turning away, he smiled. Not his usual calculated smile, but something softer, more genuine. My heart did that stupid little skip again.

"He's watching me right now," I whispered into the phone, maintaining eye contact with him. "And he doesn't even have the decency to look embarrassed about it."

After finishing my call with Rachel, I glanced back to where Sebastien had been standing, but he and Emma had already gone inside. Yet somehow, I could still feel the warmth of his gaze lingering in the air.

When I came downstairs, I found Ethan in the living room, poring over a checklist for the upcoming celebration. His brow was furrowed in concentration.

"I've got everything arranged," he said when he noticed me. "Catering, decorations, seating—it's all taken care of. You just focus on the twins and yourself. You've handled enough lately with the Underwood situation."

His thoughtfulness caught me off guard. "Thank you," I said sincerely. "But if there's anything I can help with—"

"Not necessary," Ethan cut in with a gentle smile. "You've earned some rest."

Sebastien walked in from the patio, his phone chiming repeatedly. I caught glimpses of a group chat where he was notifying his friends about the celebration. Curious, I moved closer, peering over his shoulder.

"Here," he said unexpectedly, holding his phone out to me. "If you want to see, just look. It's mostly them giving me a hard time."

I took the phone, surprised by his openness. The screen wasn't locked, and when I tried my birthdate on a whim, the phone unlocked immediately. Something warm unfurled in my chest at the realization.

The chat was filled with messages from his friends:

Sebastien Grey taking time off to care for babies? Has hell frozen over?

Dude, I need photographic evidence of you changing a diaper before I believe it.

Liam: Congrats, man! So bummed I'm overseas and can't make it!

I scrolled through the teasing messages, feeling a strange mixture of amusement and nostalgia. It seemed like another lifetime when we first met, fell in love, misunderstood each other, separated, and now... here we were, somehow finding our way back to each other.

"I should thank your friends," I said quietly as I handed his phone back. "They're good witnesses to how much you've changed." The words came out more sincere than I'd intended.

The evening before the celebration, the house was a flurry of activity. William and Jack personally inspected every preparation, their excitement palpable. I stood in the doorway of the nursery, watching as they took turns adjusting the twins' cribs, making sure everything would be perfect for when guests came to see the babies tomorrow.

"There, that's better," William muttered, stepping back to assess his work. "The light will be just right for photos."

Jack nodded in agreement, placing a small stuffed wolf beside Nathan's pillow. "He's going to love this," he said with certainty, though Nathan was far too young to have preferences.

"It's finally coming together," I said softly, taking in the scene. These two powerful men, both leaders in their own right, fussing over baby blankets and stuffed animals—it filled me with a warmth I hadn't expected.

I felt Sebastien's presence before I saw him. He came to stand beside me, his shoulder lightly touching mine.

"Tired?" he asked quietly. "You should rest before tomorrow."

I shook my head, watching the two elderly men who had become such fixtures in our lives. "Not tired. It's just... it's been a long time since I've felt like this."

Sebastien didn't ask what I meant. He didn't need to. His arm slipped around my waist, and for once, I didn't pull away. We stood there in comfortable silence, watching our family prepare to celebrate our children, and I allowed myself to savor the feeling of being home.